England fans told to be on best behaviour

The English Football Association has repeated its warning to fans that there will be "serious consequences" if there is any racial or violent behaviour at England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Middlesbrough this evening.

Paul Barber, the FA's Director of Marketing and Communications, said that the "eyes of football's ruling bodies" would be on the match following the scenes witnessed against Turkey in April.

The FA was handed a record fine on May 11 by UEFA and issued with a final warning on the future conduct of fans, following the Turkey game.

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body found the FA guilty of the disciplinary charges and fined them euro 99,000 - the highest ever fine for a racism-related charge. The decision was in response to pitch incursions and racist chanting at the Euro 2004 game between England and Turkey played on April 2 in Sunderland.

UEFA has expressed its "grave concern" at the potential risk that occurred to match participants - both players and officials - and "totally condemned" the offensive and racist verbal abuse of opposing fans.

Underlining that ruling, Mr Barber warned earlier today that the fans faced a "bigger test off the pitch" than the players did on it.

"Any repeat of the behaviour we saw at Sunderland the consequences for England and The FA could be very serious indeed," he said.

The FA has distributed 35,000 anti-racism leaflets inside the stadium to hit the message home that there will be "absolutely no tolerance" of any racist or violent behaviour.

(GMcG)